Q: I want to lose 100 pounds. But after I work and pick up my granddaughter from school, I’m too tired and drained for exercise. I’m low on willpower and can’t do this by myself, but I don’t want to turn to surgery or diet pills. Any suggestions?

-Tania S.

A: Hi Tania,

Let me begin with the good news. I have no doubt that you can do this if you truly make it a priority. However, as long as you accept and believe your own excuses (too tired), weight loss will continue to elude you. Excuse my frankness, but with the exception of a verifiable medical reason that prevents you from losing weight, everything else is simple excuse-making or lack of self-belief. Granted, you’re tired by the day’s end, but this is still an excuse.

Since you wrote that “I can’t do this by myself,” I strongly encourage you to join a group of like-minded people working toward the same goal. Whether it’s a program recommended and supervised by your doctor, an online program, or a reputable commercial weight-loss program, group support can often add the motivation and accountability one needs to stay the course.

Having three of those little rascals myself, I think your grandchildren can provide a great motivation for you, Tania. Taking action to improve your health now would go a long way toward improving the odds of you being a part of their future later. Get a recommendation from your doctor regarding a weight-loss group that would best fit your needs, and then fix those grandchildren firmly in your mind and show them what a success story really looks like!